Just days after Little League International denounced Goffstown manager Jeff O'Connell's decision not to play his last substitute in the New England Regional semifinals last Friday in Bristol, Conn.,...

Winnisquam voters OK $24.5m budget

By DAN SEUFERTSunday News CorrespondentMarch 23. 2013 10:45PMTILTON - In a little less than four hours, voters from Northfield, Sanbornton and Tilton passed each of the eight articles on the Winnisquam Regional School District warrant Saturday.

Voters passed a $24,569,268 budget, which is up about 1 percent from last year's budget.

Article 7 was amended because voters were uncomfortable with its language. The article asked for a $1 appropriation for the Winnisquam football program.

A second sentence in the article, which read "The funds will be used to ensure the safety of participants and the viability of the program," was dropped after voters argued that it was too broad. The amended article passed 80-66.

After a discussion, Article 4 was passed, 75-50, which will place $25,000 in the Special Education Capital Reserve Fund, to be paid from the June 30 unreserved fund balance available for transfer on July 1.

Collective bargaining

In passing Article 1, voters approved the collective bargaining agreement reached between the Winnisquam Regional School Board and the Winnisquam Paraprofessional Employees AFSCME Local 3158, which calls for increases in salaries and benefits.

A total of $30,833 was appropriated for the upcoming fiscal year's salaries and benefits as part of the agreement for 2013, and 2014's estimated increase is the same amount.

Voters approved $450,000 to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund-Building Renovations and Repairs account. The amount will be funded from the June 30 unreserved fund balance available for transfer on July 1.

The district also approved $614,211 for work at Southwick School, which will include installing a metal roof on the south-facing sections of the buildings, and infrastructure improvements to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.

Funding will come from the Capital Reserve Fund-Building Renovations and Repairs Fund created for this purpose.